Loose AlTrak Servo!

3/15/04
Servo motor separated!
Altrak elevator servo was found loose today (3/15/04) while performing condition inspection on my RV-8! Three of 4 machine screws which hold the motor to the mounting base were missing and evidently had backed out of their holes. The only screw remaining had also backed out and was about to fall out. Servo was installed April 2003 and had only 135 hours time in service.

These counter-sunk screws have Allen receivers machined in the center. No provision had been made to prevent these screws from backing out by the manufacturer.

Notified technical support at Trutrak flight Systems 3/15/04. Servo was removed and returned to TruTrak Flight Systems for analysis as requested.

CAUTION!!! Altrak users should inspect their servo installation and take appropriate action!
Top view.
Missing screws.
3 of 4 screws missing.
Three of 4 #5 screws missing. The 4th was half way out. (Not visible, lower right corner, under wire.)
Two screws and safety wire!
Installed #10 Fillister machine screws (50 cents/ea.) in replacement servo using safety wire and "nasty brown stuff". Fix cost me $1.00 and 30 minutes of my labor. Knowing that my Altrak servo motor will not fall off and jam in elevator bellcrank.....PRICELESS!
Baseplate safety wired to gear drive.
Screws installed through baseplate into gear drive housing and safety wired. These top holes are not used in RV-8 Servo installation.